Preassembly of elements for manufacturing a membrane / electrode assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a polymer electrolyte membrane/fuel cell electrode assembly consisting in assembling a reinforcing membrane with a polymer electrolyte membrane at a temperature higher than a subsequent handling temperature of said assembly thus formed.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for pre-assembling components of a polymer electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly for fuel cells comprising the following steps:
 a) providing a first reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   b) providing a polymer electrolyte membrane capable of sealing said opening of the reinforcing membrane,   c) the polymer electrolyte membrane and the first reinforcing membrane being under first conditions of temperature and humidity:
 c1) superimposing the polymer electrolyte membrane and the first reinforcing membrane so that the polymer electrolyte membrane seals the opening of the reinforcing membrane, then 
 c2) connecting the polymer electrolyte membrane to the first reinforcing membrane, 
   d) placing the assembly formed at the end of step c) on a support under second temperature and humidity conditions such that the polymer electrolyte membrane expands compared to its state under the first temperature and humidity conditions.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the support is that of a storage magazine of the first reinforcing membrane—polymer electrolyte membrane assembly or the static support of a press which is arranged opposite a piston of said press. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein step d) comprises the following steps:
 i) placing the first reinforcing membrane in an enclosure subjected to the first temperature and humidity conditions,   ii) arranging a polymer electrolyte membrane above the first reinforcing membrane so as to seal the opening of the reinforcing membrane;   iii) cutting the polymer electrolyte membrane so that its outer edge is inscribed between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first reinforcing membrane,   iv) securing the first reinforcing membrane with the polymer electrolyte membrane.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein step d) comprises the following steps:
 i) placing the first reinforcing membrane in an enclosure subjected to the first temperature and humidity conditions,   ii) arranging a polymer electrolyte membrane above the first reinforcing membrane so as to seal the opening of the reinforcing membrane;   iii) cutting the polymer electrolyte membrane so that its outer edge is inscribed between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first reinforcing membrane,   iv) securing the first reinforcing membrane with the polymer electrolyte membrane.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein steps iii) and iv) comprise the realization of a closed contour of the polymer electrolyte membrane welding with the first reinforcing membrane and simultaneously cutting the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein steps iii) and iv) are carried out using a laser beam. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein steps iii) and iv) are carried out using a laser beam. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the temperature of the first temperature and humidity conditions is 5 to 50° C. higher than the temperature of the second temperature and humidity conditions, preferably between 10 and 20° C., humidity being substantially the same under the first and second conditions. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the temperature of the first temperature and humidity conditions is 5 to 50° C. higher than the temperature of the second temperature and humidity conditions, preferably between 10 and 20° C., humidity being substantially the same under the first and second conditions. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the temperature of the first temperature and humidity conditions is 5 to 50° C. higher than the temperature of the second temperature and humidity conditions, preferably between 10 and 20° C., humidity being substantially the same under the first and second conditions. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the temperature of the first temperature and humidity conditions is 5 to 50° C. higher than the temperature of the second temperature and humidity conditions, preferably between 10 and 20° C., humidity being substantially the same under the first and second conditions. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 providing a second reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   providing first and second electrodes each capable of sealing the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes,   
       arranging the first and second reinforcing membranes, the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane so as to obtain a successive stacking of the first electrode, the first reinforcing membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane, the second reinforcing membrane and the second electrode, the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes being sealed by the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 providing a second reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   providing first and second electrodes each capable of sealing the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes,   
       arranging the first and second reinforcing membranes, the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane so as to obtain a successive stacking of the first electrode, the first reinforcing membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane, the second reinforcing membrane and the second electrode, the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes being sealed by the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 providing a second reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   providing first and second electrodes each capable of sealing the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes,   
       arranging the first and second reinforcing membranes, the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane so as to obtain a successive stacking of the first electrode, the first reinforcing membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane, the second reinforcing membrane and the second electrode, the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes being sealed by the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 providing a second reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   providing first and second electrodes each capable of sealing the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes,   
       arranging the first and second reinforcing membranes, the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane so as to obtain a successive stacking of the first electrode, the first reinforcing membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane, the second reinforcing membrane and the second electrode, the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes being sealed by the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 providing a second reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   providing first and second electrodes each capable of sealing the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes,   
       arranging the first and second reinforcing membranes, the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane so as to obtain a successive stacking of the first electrode, the first reinforcing membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane, the second reinforcing membrane and the second electrode, the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes being sealed by the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 providing a second reinforcing membrane comprising an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening,   providing first and second electrodes each capable of sealing the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes,   
       arranging the first and second reinforcing membranes, the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane so as to obtain a successive stacking of the first electrode, the first reinforcing membrane, the polymer electrolyte membrane, the second reinforcing membrane and the second electrode, the openings of the first and second reinforcing membranes being sealed by the first and second electrodes and the polymer electrolyte membrane.